This month I want to discuss a treatment that we get a lot of questions about on a monthly
basis and one which is highly misunderstood-and that is Spinal Decompression Therapy. If you
watch local cable TV- you have probably seen commercials for the “DRX9000” machine and
heard about its claims for eliminating the need for spinal surgery. So I wanted to clear up some
of the misconceptions about this treatment and give you the true story about when and why
we use this therapy in our office.
The science of spinal decompression actually began with observations made in space. It was
discovered by NASA that during the weightlessness of space flights, the pressure on astronaut’s
spinal columns was reduced and disk space was increased. Disks are the soft cushions that
separate spinal vertebra. They act as shock absorbers and allow for movement. However, these
disks between each vertebra are pressed together with regular gravity when we stand. This
compression is due to the pressure pushing the spine downward. Over the years, this can lead
to thinning and degeneration of these disks. But when gravity is lowered in space, the disks are
able to hold more spinal fluid. This makes them larger and it also puts more space between
each vertebra. In some cases astronauts experience up to 2 inches of growth during spaceflight!
So- in 1985, a prominent neurosurgeon created the first spinal decompression table which in
effect duplicated elements of this phenomenon.
Nonsurgical spinal decompression works by using a motorized type of traction to gently
oscillate at a set amount of pull. This stretch followed by a period of relaxation allows the spine
to “decompress” much like when gravity is eliminated in space. This decompression can be
enough to take pressure off of a nerve. In some patients, decompression treatment causes a
negative pressure to develop inside of the disk. This negative pressure may then “draw in” any
protruding disk material. Spinal decompression also works by gently stretching the spine. That
helps to relax tight muscles and reduce tension on the spine. As a result, bulging or herniated
disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This in turn,
helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can
heal.
Some common reasons we might use spinal decompression treatment in our office include:
Bulging disks, when the cushion between vertebrae bulges out.
Degenerative disks, when the cushion between vertebrae starts wearing out.
Herniated disks, when part of the disk pushes on a nerve.
Pinched nerves, when a nerve gets pinched (compressed), causing numbness, pain or
tingling.
Sciatica, damage to your sciatic nerve.
Spinal stenosis, narrowing of spaces in your spine due to bone spurs or bulging or
herniated disks.
It is true therefore that in certain cases-we have been able to eliminate sciatic pain caused by
herniated discs by helping to retract and take pressure off of the nerve roots with this therapy.
Patients have experienced excellent results which have eliminated or delayed the need for
spinal surgery. We also use spinal decompression in the cervical area when patients are having
shooting pain or numbness into the arms or hands due to disk problems in the neck.
Spinal decompression is not for everyone however. Decompression therapy is contraindicated
in certain conditions such as pregnancy, tumors, fractures, severe osteoporosis or metal
implants in the spine. Therefore, a thorough evaluation is performed before any patient is
placed on this treatment.
In addition, in our office we combine spinal decompression with an exercise program that
targets the function of the stabilization of ligaments, tendons, and muscles. This also includes
exercises to build core stability. These exercises are all very important in order to build core
strength and increase mobility so that our patients get long-term benefits.
Unfortunately, spinal decompression therapy is often misused or exploited as a marketing
gimmick. Many insurance companies like Aetna, in its policy bulletin, call spinal decompression
“experimental” and “investigational” and therefore do not cover the service. This opens the
door for unscrupulous medical offices to charge outrageous prices for “out of pocket” costs. A
typical course of 20 visits over an 8-week period can run about $3,500 or more on the DRX9000
machine. That never happens however in our office. Once we have determined that a patient’s
condition can benefit from spinal decompression, we include that as part of our treatment
protocol. We never up charge for this service and it never costs a patient a penny more out of
their pocket. Our commitment for the past 36 years has been to provide what’s necessary to
help our patients achieve a pain-free lifestyle and that commitment will never change.
So, hopefully, this answers some of your questions about spinal decompression. If you, or a
family member or friend, have any other questions or wonder if this treatment can be of
benefit to you, don’t hesitate to contact us for a thorough and proper evaluation.